5 05. Journey to Cuba

Leseli's short-term holidays came to an end. She wished to prolong the time she spend with her parents; although it felt like she was imprisoned. Because of the hostility of her relatives, she was careful not to mingle with anyone. The only place where she almost felt like part of the world was at church. She accepted this fate and was sure that after her tertiary she would return home a hero and no one would dare put a finger on her.

The trauma from the sack incident was more like a "ts'omo"[1] to her. The therapists have indeed done a wonderful job.

The little girl had to leave her parents, her home, her town, her people and her country behind. She wanted to be a doctor and had to attend a university in a foreign country.

When the fateful day arrived her parents took her to the Bus-stop where she had to board a taxi to the Capital. She was eager to go to her new school but desperate to stay with her parents. She had completed her studies at sixteen, which was a year earlier, and now at seventeen she had to live alone. Tears rolled down her cheeks, she tried to hide them but her father had already caught her....

"...baby, don't cry. Remember we will be here waiting for you with mom. You are not looking any of us, rather achieving your dream."

"...."

Her mother gave her hand a little twist: " Les, you are not a soldier going to war. you won't die.Therefore don't give us a hard time."

"Mom, dad, I've spent more than half of my life away from you. Now when I had this little time they sent me an email to leave before New year. it seems my dream is pushing me to the extreme..." Leseli's voice trembled a bit.

They arrived at the bus-stop where she boarded a taxi. She felt helpless but couldn't do otherwise. Her parents waved goodbye until the taxi disappeared in a distance.

'Mabohlokoa broke into tears, burying her head on her husband's shoulder.

"Darling, there goes our little girl. The world is a cruel place, we had little time spent with her, but now she is leaving."

"Don't cry my love. Remember Les is a gift from God. We had to protect her from the claws of the enemy before anything bad could happen." Francis comforted his wife, holding her in his arms,they left and headed home.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

In three hours, Leseli reached the Capital. She was hesitant to board another taxi to the airport when she heard a familiar voice behing her "Leaving without a goodbye?"

She turned around to find her older cousin. She gave him a hug and laughed lightly "If I went by home, aunty and the entire family wouldn't let me leave. I have already carried the pain of saying goodbye once, I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to do it twice in a day."

"Come on, I'll give you a ride to the airport, besides I want you to meet someone."

Leseli left all her luggage and ran towards the car. She had hoped to see someone different, but to her surprise it was the owner of that frightening letter. She could have said more but time wasn't on her side. She opened the passenger seat and said her greetings. The girl smiled and said "Les, you haven't grown up yet. don't get lost in a foreign country.."

Leseli only smiled and fastened the safety belt. Her cousin put all her luggage in the trunk. The airport was a fifteen minutes drive, she didn't want to be late although her plane was leaving in an hour. She had never been in a plane before and was very nervous. She jumped when her cousin stopped the car; she hadn't heard anything they were saying to her.

"Sorry, I was thinking about something else."

She bit them farewell,giving each a hug and hurried into the airport.

When time came, she boarded her plane and took a seat. She knew she had to change planes in OR Tambo from Moshoeshoe II international airport. She wanted to sleep but curiosity kept her awake. She wanted to see the landscape as they took flight, everything down there looked peaceful, the buildings and mountains stood majestically across the entire Kingdom .... She finally understood why it is called The kingdom in the sky.

She boarded another plane in South Africa and headed off to Cuba where she would find a driver waiting for her.

upon arrival, she didn't have time to admire the city, she wanted to take a bath and sleep. Luckily the driver was another Mosotho man, therefore it was easier to spot him. He lead her to the car and after loading her luggage introduced himself as someone from the embassy. She was a bit relieved although she got nervous when the man said : I'm afraid tomorrow you will be taking an entrance exam, therefore we can only celebrate and welcome you after you have passed. for now I'll drive you to the Campus and take my leave. Although I must say miss Semethe, we expected more when the country told us about you."

"well people always expect more from giants," she said with a frown " But they forget that 'Nketjoane o tumme a le bolibeng' [2]"

"Don't misunderstand me please miss. but you look like a child, that's why I was a bit surprised. however I do not doubt your IQ level." The man answered, speeding up.

Les "I'm sorry sir for my hostility. I did not mean to explode like that. I'm way too tired to think of anything and also in a foreign country with people I've never met before. so please bear with me."

"You scared me to death miss. I nearly thought I've upset you somehow, but thank you. anyway, we are here already. a campus guide will come in the morning, and must I say you are the pride of our country. There are a few Basotho males here but you are the first woman to join them, they will come meet you in the morning. "

At the main gate, the driver produced a document and drove through. Leseli paid no attention to her surroundings, all that rang in her mind was : exam! exam! exam.

The man left her in the reception are where she was given a security guard to lead her to her room. The guard only said "welcome miss" and left after showing her her room. She too said "thank you" and opened the door.

Her room was partitioned into three, the kitchen which had a dining table. a few metres away was a sitting room, some sofas and a TV screen .She looked for a bathroom, took a quick shower and a minute later she was off to dreamland.

Cuba, at last.

🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃

1. bed-time story

3. an idiom which means you don't have to be a giant to be famous or successful.